Case Report: Surgical treatment of feline pituitary apoplexy in 3 cases.
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
- 2Veterinary Pathology, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Abstract
Background
Surgical treatment of feline pituitary apoplexy has not been previously described.Objectives
To describe the clinical course and follow-up of 3 cases of feline pituitary apoplexy.Methods
Cases were selected based on histopathological confirmation of pituitary masses with haemorrhagic lesions, following transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. Details of physical examination, diagnostic test results, treatment and follow-up course were retrospectively acquired by review of medical and imaging records.Results
Two cats were presented with acute onset of neurologic signs (case 1 and 2), and one cat showed subacute endocrinological dysfunction (case 3). All cases underwent successful transsphenoidal hypophysectomy, followed by intensive care hospitalization and successful discharge. Pituitary apoplexy was identified by histopathological examination of the excised pituitary glands in cases 1, 2, and 3. Imaging findings compatible with pituitary apoplexy were present in all 3 cases, although only case 3 was imaged with a hemorrhage-sensitive sequence, providing unequivocal evidence of intralesional hemorrhage. Case 1 had a survival time at least 716 days, underwent a second transsphenoidal surgery because of tumor recurrence and was subsequently lost to follow-up. Case 2 had a survival time of at least 1,098 days and is still alive at the time of writing this manuscript. In case 3, tumor recurrence was identified radiologically (MRI) at 365 days, and it died during a course of radiation therapy 612 days after transsphenoidal hypophysectomy.Conclusion and clinical importance
Pituitary apoplexy is a rare condition that also affects cats with large pituitary adenomas. Overall, the cats experienced acceptable clinical recovery and postoperative survival, supporting the feasibility of transsphenoidal hypophysectomy as a therapeutic option for cats with pituitary tumors affected by apoplexy. Notably, a favorable outcome was observed even in the presence of remnant pituitary tissue, as illustrated by the cat that later developed pituitary tumor recurrence.
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BibTeX
@article{schaik2026case,
title = {{Case Report: Surgical treatment of feline pituitary apoplexy in 3 cases.}},
author = {Megan A van Schaik and Lucinda L van Stee and Guy C M Grinwis and Björn P Meij},
journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fvets.2026.1779079},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42921401},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Case Report: Surgical treatment of feline pituitary apoplexy in 3 cases.
AU - Megan A van Schaik
AU - Lucinda L van Stee
AU - Guy C M Grinwis
AU - Björn P Meij
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/09
JO - Frontiers in veterinary science
DO - 10.3389/fvets.2026.1779079
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42921401
AB - Background Surgical treatment of feline pituitary apoplexy has not been previously described.Objectives To describe the clinical course and follow-up of 3 cases of feline pituitary apoplexy.Methods Cases were selected based on histopathological confirmation of pituitary masses with haemorrhagic lesions, following transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. Details of physical examination, diagnostic test results, treatment and follow-up course were retrospectively acquired by review of medical and imaging records.Results Two cats were presented with acute onset of neurologic signs (case 1 and 2), and one cat showed subacute endocrinological dysfunction (case 3). All cases underwent successful transsphenoidal hypophysectomy, followed by intensive care hospitalization and successful discharge. Pituitary apoplexy was identified by histopathological examination of the excised pituitary glands in cases 1, 2, and 3. Imaging findings compatible with pituitary apoplexy were present in all 3 cases, although only case 3 was imaged with a hemorrhage-sensitive sequence, providing unequivocal evidence of intralesional hemorrhage. Case 1 had a survival time at least 716 days, underwent a second transsphenoidal surgery because of tumor recurrence and was subsequently lost to follow-up. Case 2 had a survival time of at least 1,098 days and is still alive at the time of writing this manuscript. In case 3, tumor recurrence was identified radiologically (MRI) at 365 days, and it died during a course of radiation therapy 612 days after transsphenoidal hypophysectomy.Conclusion and clinical importance Pituitary apoplexy is a rare condition that also affects cats with large pituitary adenomas. Overall, the cats experienced acceptable clinical recovery and postoperative survival, supporting the feasibility of transsphenoidal hypophysectomy as a therapeutic option for cats with pituitary tumors affected by apoplexy. Notably, a favorable outcome was observed even in the presence of remnant pituitary tissue, as illustrated by the cat that later developed pituitary tumor recurrence.
SN - 2297-1769
ER -